Q&A with Shane Mumba - Moët & Chandon’s Best Young Sommelier Semi-FInalist

Monday, 16 September, 2019
SASA
On 25 September 10 semi-finalists will compete for the title of Moët & Chandon Best Young Sommelier 2019. Shane Mumba from Waterkloof Wines finds himself in this competition.

What is your current position?

Sommelier at Waterkloof Restaurant

Qualification:

SASA Junior Sommelier L1

Where are you from?

Stellenbosch born and bred

Years in the industry?

6 years

First wine job?

Harvest intern at Kanonkop

Bottle that got you into wine?

Rustenberg “Peter Barlow” Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

What were the biggest obstacles and how did you tackle them?

I got into a bad habit when I first started, and used to judge wine based on price and producer only. The more I learn about wine the more I understand there is so much more than just price and producer

Advice for people getting started in wine?

Read and taste as much as you can about wine and beverages

 

Read more on the other semi-finalists on SASA's Facebook page

The winners will receive an all expenses paid trip to France to visit Moët & Chandon Maison in Champagne followed by a week long visit to Barolo in Italy during July 2020!  The winner will be one of less than 100 selected and invited sommeliers and wine experts from around the world that participates in the Collisioni Progetto Vino with Ian D’Agata. And includes accommodation, meals, winery visits and seminars. The winner also receives a bursary for WSET education from the IWEC and an opportunity to compete in the Moët & Chandon Best Sommelier South Africa challenge in 2020. And, of course, a magnum of Moët & Chandon to celebrate with!